Means for distributing ballast



Oct 22, 1929. B. W STRAW 1,732,545

MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING BALLAST 'Filed NOV. 21. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvENToii' ATTORNEY6 Oct. 2-2, 1929. 3, w, s w 1,732,545

MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING BALLAST Filed Nov. 21. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS B. w. STRAW MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING BALLAST Oct. 22, 1929.

Filed NOV. 21. 192'? 3 Sheets-Sheet S E N. R m A BERNARD W. STRAW, OF MOUNT DELAWARE time -' LAND, l'GNQR TO .AUTGMATIG BAIL- J'EON, Dig-.AALVTA-Ibi-l, A CURIPORATION F ItTEAEl'Ei BIST'REIB'UTIHH- BllLLLlfiT Application filed November Ell, 152?.

This invention relates to ballast distributl more particularly to means in or soreadiu ballast in the i :3

111;; means, for discha cross-tie cues of a railway track.

o la forming a track ballast cross-section a particular amount oi ballast is required in the cross-tie cribs. For example, in certain instances it is desirer to discharge Slll c ent ballast into said cribs so that the depth of the ballast extends from the sul grade to Within approximately two inches below the upper surface of the cross-tics. in other instances it is desirable to bring the height of the ballast approximately halt way up the sides of the cross-ties only. Much expense and labor have heretofore been expended in thus distributing ballast, due to the fact that it has been necessary to manually handle the ballast so as to insure its proper depth 29 in the cross-tie cribs.

Une oi the objects of the present invention is to provide novel means for discharging ballast into the cross-tie cribs of a railway rack.

5 Another object oi? the invention is to provide means for distributing ballast in such a manner as to provide the desired depth of ballast in the cross-tie cribs of a track.

Another obj eot is to provide means adapted lo be associated with a ballast carrier for distributing ballast in a predetermined manner in a cross-tie crib.

A further object is to provide means oi the above character Which are adapted to be operatively and detachably associated with a ballast carrier, such a hopper car.

Another object to provide means for dischar ng ballast into the cross-tie cribs, said in icing adapted for use in conjunction with a ballast spreading or distribu ing pan.

Another object of th-.. invention is to pro vide a cross-tie crib ballast dresser so constructed that ballast may be distributed at the required points and in the required amounts in the cross-tie cribs, the dresser being automatic in action.

Another object is to provide a cross-tie crib ballast dresser which is so constructed that the carrier with which the dresser is operatively associated may be moved in either Serial No. 234,853.

direction along the track, Withoutinjury to the dresser structure. I

A further object is to provide a cross-tie crib dresser Which is so constructed that ballast may be distributed in the portion of the cross-tie cribs between the rails, and in those portions of the cribs intermediate the rail and the outer ends of the cross-ties.

A still further object is to provide novel means for securing the dresser to the ballast carrier.

The invention is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,-

Figure l. is a side elevation of a portion of a hopper car to which is operativcly connected one form of the structure constituting the subject n'mtter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the hopper car shown in Fig. 1, the structure of the present invention being shown attached thereto in side elevation.

Figures 3, 4-. and 5 are detail views, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the operation of the structure of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one form of dress-er embodying the present invention.

The structure constituting the subject matter oi the prcsent invention is particularly adapted for use in combination with a railway hopper car of the usual type, but the some may be employed in combination with the hopper and ballast car disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 175,339, filed March 14, 1927.

Referring inoreparticularly to Figs. 1 and 2, a railway hopper car 7, provided with the usual hopper 8 and hopper door 9, has associated therewith ballast distributing and dressing means, which in the present instance comprise a ballast distributing pan and a 1 adapted to hook over the top edges of the car sides and the lower ends of the chains being secured to the upper corners of the end walls 12 in any convenient manner. The upper ends ofthe chains 14 are secured to a lever 15 pivotally carried by said bar 13. By adjust- I ing the angular position of lever 15, the height of the distributer above the top of the rails 16 may be readily varied. The lever is preferably held in adjusted position by means of a chain 17 adapted to engage with a selected link of one of the chains 14. The distributer is thus removably secured immediately below the hopper 8, in a position to receive ballast from said hopper when the door 9 is open.

The bottom 18 of the distributer is provided with one or more longitudinally extending openings 19 (Fig. 5) which are adapted to be closed by means of sliding doors 20. These doors may be operated from the side of the car, as by means of suitable levers 21. Each. of the detachable end walls is preferably provided with a sliding door 22 adapted to be actuated by means of a lever 23 to which is pivotally secured a link 24, the lower end of said link being secured in any suitable manner to the door 22.

The sliding doors in the bottom of the distributer 10 control the discharge of ballast from the distributer to the crib dresser V presently to be described) while doors 22 in t 1e opposite end walls of the distributer control the discharge of ballast onto the ballast shoulder and/ or center ditch.

, Means are provided for receiving and distributing the ballast discharged through the openin s 19, whereby the ballast is deposited throughout each cross-tie crib, said means actng automatically to prevent the discharge of ballast where it is not needed. In the form shown, said means comprise a center dresser 25 (Fig. 6) and a pair of outer dressers 26, 27, the outer dressers being substantially du- V plicates.

The center dresser 25, which controls the discharge of ballast to that portion of the cross-tie cribs between the rails, comprises an upper plate 28 adapted to extend transversely of the rails and bent longitudinally at 29 to form a downwardly projecting portion 28. Pivotally connected to the lower edge of the 7 portion 28 as by means of a suitable number of hinges 30, is a substantially flat plate 31 adapted to form a continuation of portion 28. Hinges 30 are so mounted on the under surfaces of plates 28 and 31 that the latter cannot swing upwardly out of the plane of portion 23, but is capable of free pivotal movement in the opposite direction. The end edges of plate 31 may converge inwardly to clear the rails 16.

Pivotally attached to the lower edge of plate 31 is another plate 32 which is substantially the same length as the lower edge of plate 31, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. Hinges 33 which are provided for securing the plate 32 to plate 31 are so formed that plate 32 can swing freely in either direction. Pivoted to the lower edge of plate 32, as by means of hinges 34, are a plurality of plates 35 which are preferably of less width than plates 32. In the form shown, three plates 35 are employed, but it is to be understood that the number of these plates may be varied as desired.

The center dresser, constituted by plates 28, 31, 32 and 35, is provided with means for removably attaching it to the ballast distributer. For this purpose two laterally spaced and substantially parallel bars 36 are adj ustably secured adjacent the opposite ends of the upper surface of plate 28, the bars extending substantially .at right angles to the U plate. Pivotally attached to each end of each of said bars is a supporting member 37 having a hook portion 37 adapted to engage the top edge of one of the side walls 11 of the distributer 10, whereby the center dresser may be quickly installed or removed. The amount of ballast discharged by the center dresser may be varied by changing the position of the plates relative to openings 19. For this purpose, bars 36 are provided with a plurality of openings 38 through which extend suitable members, such as bolts 39, for adj ustably securing the plates to said bars. Means are provided for controlling the discharge of ballast into that portion of the cross-tie crib between the ends of the ties and adjacent rail. For this purpose the present invention includes a pair of structures quite similar to the center dresser described above and differing therefrom prin'iarily in length only. Each of the outside dressers preferably comprises an upper bent plate 40 pivotally connected, as by means of suitable hinges 30, to a plate 41, the lower edge of the latter being connected to a plate 42, and hinged to the lower edge of plate 42 is an additional plate 43. Two substantially parallel bars 44 which extend transversely of plate 40 are secured, as by means of bolts 39, to the upper surface of the horizontally disposed portion of plate 40. Attached to the outer ends of these bars are hook-shaped hangers 45 and 46 for connecting the outside dressers to the distributer. Hangers 46 are preferably of less length than hangers 37 and 45, in order that the former may engage the lower edge at? of suitable openings 48 provided adjacent the outer ends of the side walls 11 of the distributor. 'lhe openings 4-8 also constitute hand holes to facilitate handling of the distributor 10.

Tlhe operation of the device is shown more clearly in Figs. 3, t and 5. By opening door 9 oi the carrier, which is moving along the track, ballast is discharged into distributer 10. Upon opening sliding doors 20 of the distributor ballast falls by gravity onto the plates of the center and outer dressers. The dressers are so constructed that when the lower plates and i3 engage the top of a cross-tie d7, the hinged plates assume angular positions temporarily arresting downward i'low ot the ballast by permitting; it to assume an angle of repose. The angle of repose, oi course, varies with the nature and form of the particular ballast used. As the carrier and dressers continue their movement, plates 35 and -13 tall by gravity into the crib, and, it the level of the ballast in the crib is below the desired height, the plates will assume r'ular positions aitl'ording an effective slope ch is greater than the slope or angle of flow ol the ballast, thereby permitting the proper amount of the latter to discharge into the crib. its the plates move out of the crib onto the next adjacent: cross-tie, their relative angular positions are again changed so that the delivery of ballast is stopped. It the next adjacent crib contains the proper amount of l' allast, the plates will assume such an angle therein that no ballast will be discharged. If one portion oi the crib between the rails contains su'tficient ballast while another portion or portions thereof are below the desired level, the plates 35 automatically act to control or prevent the discharge of ballast to said portions as may be necessary. The discharge of ballast into a crib is not controlled, therefore, by a single high point in the crib.

ll' hen it is desired to vary the height or amount oi? ballast discharged into the cribs, the plates of each dresser are moved relative to the bars 236 and 14; and it a difl'erent character cit ballast is us d, so that the slope oi discharge of the same is dillerent from that previously used, the position of the plates relative to bars 36 and it may be likewise chang l to insure that a proper amount of the ballast will be distributed. The outer "rcssers and 27 operate in a manner similar to the center dresser 25. It is unnecessary to o ovide the op 'Josite ends of slates 39 lt) 30 X. 1 a a bi with any upwardly extending portlons or flanges to prevent ballast from being discharg 2d over the ends oi the plates, tor 1t has loan: that only a slight amount of balescapes in this way.

'lhe direction olt movement of the carrier may be reversed at any time without damage l l 'll l" lt ll LO tie c resseis. 1c nngec. p a cs W1 move over the upper surface of the cross-ties or over an. obstruction, such as a misy ced tie, without danger of injury to the structure, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5.

llfly inven in the ballast to the cross-tie cribs of a track. in the desired amount and in the desired po- Slnltil'li-l. The device is simple in construction and automatic in operation. it may be readily applied to a lr l 2st carrier of the hopper car type without the necessity for any structural changes in the latter. This is of importance since the carrier may then be used an ordinary hopper when it is desired, thereby avoiding the necessity for hauling empty cars great distances. Heavy expense incident to manual handling of the ballast is avoided.

hating now described my invention, what claim is:-

1. In combination,.a ballast carrier, a distrilmter operatively connected to said carrier, and dresser means movable w' h sai d carrier and distributer :tor discharging; bal- .nto the cross-tie cribs oi a railway traelc. combination with ballast ca ryiiigg; tributinp; means, dresser means for discharge of ballast into the s of a railway track, and means o. in combination with a ballast carrier, means for depositing; ballast in the cross-tie cribs off a railway track, said means com- 1. a plurality of pivoted members adapted automatically to control the delivery of ballast to said cross-tie cribs.

4-. In combination with a ballast distributer, a center dresser and a pair of outside dressers for controlling the discharge oi distributing ballast received from the carrving means into the cross-ti cribs of a track on which said carrying me s is movable, said. carrying means and said l'lenible means being relatively positioned to enable ballast to be discharged by gravity from F .id carry means and to flow by gravity over said flexible means.

In combination with ballast cart/1p, and distributing means, dressing men s including a plura .y of members relatively movable angularly tor deliverina ballast into the cross-tie cribs of a railway track.

'l'. in combination with. ballast carrying and distributing means, dresser means for controlling the discharge into the cros-is-tic cribs of a railway track the ballast received from said first named means, and means for permitting the position of said dresser means to be adjusted relative to said carrying and distributing means.

ion provides means for distribntconnecting; said dresser means to said named means.

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8. In combination with a hopper car, a distributer operatively connected to said car to receive ballast therefrom, dresser means operatively connected to said distributor for depositing ballast into the cross-tie cribs of a railway'traclr on which said car is moved, and means for controlling the discharge of ballast from the distributer to said dresser means.

9. In combination with ballast carrying and distributing means dresser means 1neluding a plurality oi pivotally connected members, and means for controlling the flow OI ballast irom said first named means to said dresser means.

10. In combination with ballast carrying and distributing means, dresser means for controlling the discharge of ballast to the portion of the cross-tie crib of a railway between the rails, dresser means for controlling the discharge of ballast to the portion of the cross-tie crib between the ends of the cross-ties and the respectively adjacent rails, and means for controlling the discharge of ballast to said dressers.

11. A ballast spreader and dresser comprising a plurality of hinged members, one of said members being formed in sections.

12. A ballast dresser comprising a plurality of pivotally connected plates, and adjustable supporting means for said 1 135A ballast dresser comprising 11 Xible means adapted to be mover over "he crossties of a railway track and to be actuated by said cross-ties.

14. A ballast dresser comprising a plu ralit-y of movably connected rigid elements, said elements being adapted to be moved along a railway track and the lowermost one of said elements being adapted toengage the tops of the cross-ties of said track.

15. A ballast dresser comprising a plurality of pivotally connected plates, and means for operatively connecting said plates to a ballast carrier, one or more of said plates being adapted to assume an angular position relative to the carrier.

16. In combination with a railway hopper car, ballast dressing means'operatively connected to said car for delivering ballast into the cross-tie cribs of the track along which said car is moved, said dressing means including a plurality of movably connected members, one of said members being adapted to engage the tops of the cross-ties and to swing to either side of the vertical.

17. The method at discharging ballast into a cross-tie crib which consists in continuously applying ballast to a sloping sheet, and intermittently changing the slope of said sheet so as to cause the ballast passing over said sheet to intermittently assume the angle of repose.

- 18. The method of distributing ballast on a ballast cross-section which consists in cansing ballast to flow by gravity down an incline comprising a plurality of flexibly connected plates, and intermittently changing the relative angular relation of said plates to vary the amount of ballast discharged.

19. Ihe method of distributing ballast on a ballast cross-section which consists in supporting ballast above said section, moving the ballast relative to said se tion, and employing the irregularities in the surface over which the ballast is moved to vary the angular position of the support for the ballast, whereby the amount 0t ballast distributed is controlled.

20. In combination with ballast carrying and distributing means, flexible dresser means operatively connected to said carrying means, said flexible means being adapted to engage the surface on which the ballast is to be deposited, and being adapted to substantially follow the irregularities of said surface, whereby the angular position of said flexible means is varied and the amount of ba last distributed is controlled.

21. In combination, a ballast carrying car, and means movable with said ear for depositing ballast in the cross-tie cribs of a railway track, said means being adapted to engage with and be actuated by said cross-ties.

In combination, a ballast carrying car, and means movable with the car for depositing ballast to the roadbed of a railway track, said means being engageable with the railway track cross-ties and the portions of the roadbed intermediate said cross-ties for controlling the delivery of ballast to the roadbed.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BERNARD \V. STRAN. 

